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Brumbies get a new captain

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:29

Stephen Moore will Captain the Brumbies in 2015 after coach Stephen Larkham unveiled his new skipper on Wednesday.

Australia's most accomplished hooker, Moore, has played more than 200 first class games - for Queensland, the Wallabies, the Brumbies and the Barbarians.

Moore has already captained the Brumbies on two occasions - in 2011 against the Stormers in Canberra and in 2012 against the Lions in Johannesburg.

He was named Wallabies captain for the 2014 Tests, but suffered season-ending knee injury just minutes into his tenure against France in June.

But 2015 will be the first Moore has led the Brumbies from the start of the season, an achievement he said he was humbled by.

"Since moving here and starting a family I've come to appreciate what a special place Canberra is and what it has to offer," Moore said.

"It [2015] will be my seventh year playing and living in Canberra, I've made a home here and it's an honour to be able to represent the region in this way.

"People come to the Brumbies and to Canberra is search of opportunity and to become better at what they do. In my own case, I think that I have improved as a player and a person since arriving here and I'd like to play a part in ensuring those characteristics continue for people who come to the Brumbies.

"We have a strong, enthusiastic playing group locked in for the 2015 season and I am looking forward to the challenges captaincy will bring."

A Wallabies teammate during the twilight years of Larkham's playing career, the Brumbies coach was elated to have Moore, one of the world's most decorated players, available to lead his side in 2015.

"Steve is widely respected around Australia as one of the finest players this country has ever produced and it's a pleasure to instate him as our Captain," Larkham said.

"I've been impressed with the way Steve has carried himself on the occasions he has been Captain of the Brumbies over the last few years. And I was particularly pleased with the way he led the Wallabies the week leading into that first Test against the French this year.

"On the field Steve leads by example with everything he does and off the field he is a great role model for younger players coming through the ranks and people who admire rugby and the Brumbies in the community."

* Meanwhile Peter Ryan returns to the Brumbies as contact coach in 2015, 13 years after he finished playing with the franchise as a championship-winning flank in 2002.

Ryan will fill the position until the end of 2016 after signing a two-year deal.